The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 1
"Just Another Day In Paradise"
By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the items mentioned in this story that belong to the Genius of JK Rowling. We do own Artimis Callabella-Malfoy, Alexis Whyte-Weasley along with our other OCs. We own the plot and Manor Dela Loyality. Vicky and Erica belong to the marvolous Mourn-Today. We are making no money off of this and it is simply for reading pleasure.
Author's Notes: We told we weren't done with Arty and Lexy yet and we weren't lying. This time a new kind of problem arises and the Misfits will be drawn once again into a battle, but this one unlike any other. Please Read and Review, they make us happy...
Toodles and May Your Keyboard be Blessed,
Deep Shadows and EckoStalker
It's been almost four years since we last heard from our motley crew, Artimis and Alexis... Let's peek in and see what new circumstances have arisen...
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Severus Snape sat sleeping on a chair in the lounge, his head lulled back in contentment. In his lap lay a little girl, her black hair falling over his hand that was holding her back. A book rested open on him, the words facing him. The cover of the book read 'The Little Princess'. Severus heard a scrambling in the foyer and instinctively covered his niece, Selena's ears. She readjusted on his lap, her little arm wrapping around his arm in her sleep. He rolled his eyes, hearing Alexis holler as her husband chased her around the house. He opened his eyes and looked around, looking at the small child in his arms.
"If they wake her up, I swear..." He mumbled, moving aside her hair from her face. Suddenly the doors to the Lounge flew open and Alexis rushed in the room, seemingly dressed only in one of Ron's work shirts. Severus covered Selena's closed eyes as Ron ran in, half-naked, missing his shirt and wearing only one shoe. They had stopped yelling and Alexis dove away from her husband, leaping over a couch and running out the doors.
"BLOODY-" Ron began to yell and Severus glared.
"Shhhhhhhh" He whispered and Ron rolled his eyes, leaving the room at a run after his wife. Severus checked to see that she was still sleeping and leaned his head back comfortably.
"Oh, well, I guess I can tell you." Artimis's voice was heard in a low tone and Severus looked up at her, sighing, knowing that he wasn't going to get much more of a nap.
"Tell me what?" Severus whispered and Artimis shook her head at him, seeing the book in his hand that he was reading to her daughter.
"I'll show you instead, look what Draco and I just found out." Artimis spoke lowly, raising her hand. She smirked at her hand as her hand covered in shadows, a sign that she was pregnant. Severus's eyes grew wide as he looked at her with astonishment.
"Another one. You're going to have another one? Oh no, the mood swings are coming..." Severus mumbled to himself and Artimis shook her head.
"Yes, I am. And I think its best my daughter not sleep with her back curled like that. You should take her to her bed and let her take a proper nap." Artimis told him with a hint of injury, and he snorted, knowing Artimis had grown jealous of her daughter's attachment to him.
"Since you are her mother, I guess you are right. But we did not intend on napping. We were just getting into the middle of the book when she yawned and dozed off." Severus spoke, gently getting up, holding the sleeping girl to him. Artimis nodded to him and walked out of the room, trying to chase down Alexis and Ron, who were running up the stairs. Severus began walking up the stairs, mentally cursing Alexis and her mid-afternoon antics. He walked past the door to his room and entered Ron's old room, now Selena's bedroom. He smirked at the fairies and princesses covering the walls and he pulled back the ballerina covers on her bed. He laid her down softly on her bed and pulled the covers up over her small shoulders as she readjusted in her bed. He walked out of the room slowly and closed the door gently behind him.
He sighed as he rubbed his forehead, hearing yet another argument upstairs from the engaged Aaron and Hailey. He turned and began to walk toward his room, hearing another squeal from behind him. He pressed against the wall just as Alexis came tearing around the corner behind him. He looked at her and the realized that it seemed to him that Alexis was only clad in one of Ron's long work shirts.
Good gracious, she's nude, again... I am going to my room... He thought to himself as he was bombarded by a solid body rushing around the corner. He fell to the floor and muffled his yelp as Ron landed on him.
"Oh, sorry Severus. Alexis, honey, I have to go work! Give it to me!" Ron yelled as he scrambled off of Severus running up the stairs. Severus got up and brushed himself off, wiping down his shirt.
"Those two... It's like twiddle-dee and twiddle-dumb." He mumbled as he put his hand on the handle to his door. Then he heard a noise that made him want to kill Alexis.
"Uncle Severus..." He heard Selena's small voice call and he growled in Alexis's general direction. He walked back to Selena's room and opened the door.
"Yes Selena?" He asked softly and she frowned at him.
"Did you finish it without me?" She asked in her childish tone and he smirked, walking into her room and sitting on the foot of her bed.
"No, I fell asleep too. You should lie back down and finish your nap. Then we can finish the Little Princess after dinner." He spoke slowly, making sure she could understand him. She smiled at him and then shook he head in disagreement.
"I'm not tired; I wanna finish the book now." She told him and he rubbed his forehead, smiling at her still.
"Sweetie, Uncle Severus is still very tired. I need a nap still." He explained and she frowned at him, giving him puppy dog eyes.
"But you said you fell asleep? Pweas Uncle Sev, pretty pretty please." She whined pitifully and he groaned, standing up and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"But your mummy said you need to sleep longer and if I don't make you, then mummy will get mad at us again." He told her and she pouted at him.
"I'm not tired. I wanna hear the Little Princess! I don't wanna sleep! I wanna hear the Little Princess!" Selena began to yell, letting tears fall down her cheeks as she began to have a temper tantrum. Severus shook his head as he kneeled at her bedside.
"Selena, please lie down and finish your nap." He asked and she continued on with her crying and whining. Severus could not bear to see her cry and against his own better judgment, gave in.
"Ok, I'll go get the book and I'll read it to you up here." He replied and she suddenly brightened up.
"YAY!" She yelled and Severus smiled at her, getting up and walking out of the room, abandoning all hope of sleep as he went to get the book his niece wanted to hear.
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Alexis sat cross-legged on her bed in growing boredom as Ron hurriedly tried to dress for work. She sighed, looking around and wondering what she would do until he returned. She was dressed in her two piece green bathing suit, intending to go swimming somewhere if she got around to it. Ron turned in a circle, hastily tying on one shoe as he looked around for his button up shirt. Alexis spotted it on the end of her bed and smirked.
You know, he's still got fifteen minutes until he's officially late... She thought to herself as she grabbed his shirt and pulled it on her. Ron saw her and cocked his head in confusion as she smiled mischievously and buttoned it up. Ron groaned and shook his head. "No, Alexis. Not again..."
Alexis then leapt off her bed, ducking under Ron's arms as he went to grab her and bolted out the Tower doors, Ron scrambling behind her.
She laughed loudly as she slid down the banisters, Ron tramping down the stairs after her, begging her to return his shirt, probably his only clean one. She darted past Artimis's room, heading for the second flight of stairs as Artimis's doors opened and she stepped out, watching Alexis go in confusion, but shaking her head as she viewed Ron running after her.
She thought she heard Artimis yelling after her, but couldn't stop to acknowledge it or she would be caught. Besides, Ron needed a nice run, and half the house was probably still asleep.
Kill two birds with one stone... can you even do that? Alexis thought as she narrowly avoided Ron's grip and burst into the Lounge, running behind the couch and smiling widely. She saw Severus sitting on the couch, holding Selena and a book and staring at her with mixed disgust and confusion. She read the title of the book, 'The Little Princess', and made a mental note to ask him about it later. But there were more pressing matters at hand. She squeaked in surprise as Ron dove at her, missing her by inches as she vaulted over the couch and sped out the doors, clutching the shirt to her.
She heard Ron yelling after her again, and laughed as she skidded around Artimis, who was trying to tell her something. "Sorry, no time. Talk later." Alexis called after her as she bolted towards the Dining room, Ron following two seconds later.
She stopped momentarily in there, breathing hard as she tried to find a place to run too. But was a moment too long. Ron flew into the room and wasted no time in tackling her to the ground, though falling and pulling her around so she landed on top of him, so he wouldn't hurt her.
She yelped in surprise and struggled violently, knocking over chairs, Ron trying to keep a hold of her. She squirmed and laughed, almost out of breath as Ron grumbled, trying to pry the shirt off her. She managed to wriggle her way out of his grasp, only three buttons being undone by him. He rose to his knees as Alexis bolted back towards and up the stairs, diving into Hermione's room and running behind her desk as Ron followed her in, shaking his head. Hermione looked up from her desk, a glare on her features as she looked them over.
"Can't you see that I'm working? You've got a room for a reason!" She screeched as Ron attempted to grab Alexis, leaving an opening for Alexis to bolt out the door, followed by many angry yells from Hermione. She streaked across the hall and sped into Remus's room, Ron desperately trying to chase her down. She laughed as she entered Remus's room, the werewolf still asleep on his bed. Alexis leapt clear over his bed, with him in it, ducking as Ron jumped after her. She turned quickly and dove back over the bed, Remus's opening one eye with curiousness. Ron jumped over the bed as well, and Alexis once again raced out the door, Remus's sitting up in bed and rubbing his small goatee thoughtfully, shaking his head.
Alexis pealed around the stairway, squealing loudly as she narrowly missed Snape on the second floor, his face pink with a slightly shocked expression as he looked her over briefly. She leapt onto the third floor stairs before hearing a loud thud and looked behind her, seeing Ron and Severus tangled together on the ground, looking dazed.
Alexis laughed loudly, hearing Ron speaking with exasperation. "Oh, sorry Severus. Alexis, honey, I have to go work! Give it to me!"
Alexis stuck out her tongue and took off up the stairs, hearing frustrated sighs as Ron painfully got up and attempted to run after her, only tripping again. She skidded to a halt, hearing Artimis's voice.
"Well, wasn't that just interesting." she spoke smugly, referring to Ron's comment, and Alexis looked at her as she stood in front of the stairs on the third floor.
"Alexis, are you naked?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Alexis sighed and replied sharply. "What do you think?"
Artimis shook her head and answered. ''I don't want to, so I'm asking instead."
Alexis rolled her eyes and undid the buttons, showing Artimis her bathing suit under Ron's shirt. Artimis nodded, smirking as Ron yelled to Alexis's surprise. "Aha! Gotcha!" As he grabbed Alexis from behind in a bear hug, lifting her clean off the floor.
She squirmed a bit, but sighed, knowing there was no way out of this one. He grabbed the shirt off her, plopping her back onto her feet as she pouted up at him. He turned, stalking off towards the Tower, grumbling as he buttoned his shirt.
Alexis turned back to Artimis, who was smiling widely. "Are you still too busy to talk, or can I give you some interesting information?"
Alexis looked at her suspiciously, asking. "Interesting, as in how?"
Artimis smirked, replying. "Me and Draco just found out. Let me show you." Then Artimis held up her hand, holding a ball of writhing shadows. Alexis's eyes widened as she realized what this meant. She backed up a step and hollered. "No way... Ron! We're moving away for the next nine months! We're going back to Hawaii!"
Artimis snickered and shook her head, replying smugly. "Yeah, just don't leave any pictures out next time for people to pick up again. Severus already had one heart attack."
Alexis scowled with indignity as she grumbled. "Not my fault he was snooping around. And those pictures weren't that bad!"
Artimis shook her head as she walked back downstairs. "Whatever you say Alexis..."
Alexis glared after her, and then smirked. Now there'll be two of them... maybe this one will like her instead of adopting Severus... Alexis thought amusingly to herself as she walked back to her Tower.
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Artimis paced her bedroom, watching Draco as he slowly poured the potion in their bathroom over a dish. He walked out and smiled at her, kissing her softly. She paced worriedly after he let her go, wondering what the results were going to be.
"Honey sit down, you're going to make me seasick." Draco spoke and Artimis sat down on the bed and leaned her head on his shoulder, turning her wedding ring around on her finger in nervousness. They sat there for a moment and then Draco looked up at the clock and then began to get up.
"Come on honey." He spoke and he walked into the bathroom to look at the dish. She followed and looked down at the dish, her jaw dropping as she saw the potion was a pink color, making it positive. She was suddenly picked up around the waist by Draco who kissed her. He stopped kissing her as he smiled.
"It's positive. You're pregnant. We're gonna have another baby." He declared and Artimis took a second to let it all absorb in her mind. She was pregnant, again. She was going to go through weird mood swings, again. She was going to have to give birth again. But she was also going to have another bundle of joy after it all.
She hugged Draco around the neck and buried her head in his shoulder, crying tears of joy. He held her close and she could feel his smile on her ear. He let her go after a minute and looked at Artimis's tear-stained eyes.
"Oh, honey, what's the matter? I thought you wanted another child." He asked her with worry and she smiled at him.
"I'm happy about it, not sad. These are tears of joy." She told him and he smirked at her, kissing her once again. Then he backed away and fixed his shirt.
"Ok honey, I have to head to work. You stay here today and rest, because tonight, you and I are going to celebrate." Draco told her and she nodded at him, wiping her eyes. She watched as he exited through the fireplace. She looked down at her stomach and rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to lose my waist again. Agh." She thought aloud as she headed out the door and up the stairs to tell Alexis. Artimis paused on the staircase and raised her hand in front of her face, wondering if this meant she once again was a shadowbender. She opened her hand and focused and suddenly her hand was covered with moving shadows.
"Alright, I can deal with this." She mused as she headed to Alexis and Ron's tower. Suddenly she heard the yelling and then two bodies rushing past her down the stairs. Artimis knew it was Alexis so she darted down the stairs after her, hoping to tell Alexis her news. She watched as they darted into the lounge. Artimis rolled her eyes and tried to catch Alexis as she rushed out but Alexis simply told her, "Sorry, no time. Talk later." Artimis watched as Ron followed her into the dining room. Giving up on Alexis for the time being, she walked into the lounge, intending on resting as her husband had asked her to. She walked in and was overcome with jealousy.
Her daughter Selena, lay sleeping in her Uncle Severus's arms, a book in his hand that she knew to be a children's story. Artimis's anger boiled a bit, considering that for the last three years, her daughter had taken to Severus so much that he was rarely away from her. Artimis felt jealous that her own flesh and blood wanted little to do with her. Artimis inhaled and calmed herself, speaking quietly.
"Oh, well, I guess I can tell you." She spoke, knowing that he would not like this news. Severus looked up at her, sighing and looking like he hadn't slept in a while.
Well that's what you get for stealing my daughter... Artimis thought as she waited for him to reply.
"Tell me what?" Severus whispered and Artimis shook her head at him, angry that he was reading the little princess to her daughter and not her.
"I'll show you instead, look what Draco and I just found out." Artimis spoke lowly, preparing for Severus to be shocked, raising her hand to show off. She looked at her hand, smirking as she sheeted it with shadows, something she knew everybody had concluded to only come with her pregnancy.
Severus's eyes grew wide as he looked at her with astonishment.
"Another one. You're going to have another one? Oh no, the mood swings are coming..." Artimis heard him mumble to himself and she rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
You wanna complain about the mood swings, you don't have to have them... Artimis mentally hissed, looking at the way Selena was sleeping.
"Yes, I am. And I think its best my daughter not sleep with her back curled like that. You should take her to her bed and let her take a proper nap." Artimis told him, feeling very replaced by him. He snorted as he looked at her with a look of humor.
"Since you are her mother I guess you are right. But we did not intend on napping. We were just getting into the middle of the book when she yawned and dozed off." Severus replied as Artimis watched him cautiously get up, holding her daughter to him securely. She seethed with anger and she nodded at him, rushing off to go find someone that wouldn't make her hate the world. Artimis went to chase down Alexis and Ron, who were running up the stairs. She watched them circle the second floor and she heard Aaron and Hailey start up again.
"The things I deal with." She thought as she headed up the stairs to their rooms. She got to their door just in time to hear them make up.
"Well that was better than last time." She mused as she decided to catch Alexis. She headed to the top of the stairs as Alexis rushed up them. Artimis heard Ron holler behind from behind her.
"Alexis, honey, I have to go work. Give it to me."
Artimis spoke, making Alexis freeze mid-run. "Well, wasn't that just interesting."
Artimis looked Alexis up and down, wondering if she was right about what she was about to ask or not, but she didn't want to think about that.
"Alexis, are you naked?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Alexis sighed at her and retorted sharply. "What do you think?"
She just shook her head at her crazy sister and answered. ''I don't want to, so I'm asking instead." Artimis watched as Alexis undid the shirt, showing her the bathing suit underneath it.
Well, that is a relief... Artimis thought as Ron caught Alexis. They wrestled for a few minutes, until Ron won his prize, the shirt of the day. He sat her back on her feet and Artimis snickered as she pouted. Artimis waited for Alexis to turn back to her and she smiled widely, unsure of Alexis's reaction.
"Are you still too busy to talk, or can I give you some interesting information?" She asked and she watched as Alexis looked at her suspiciously.
She paused a moment and then asked "Interesting, as in how?"
Artimis smirked at her with inside joy, replying smoothly. "Me and Draco just found out. Let me show you."
Artimis them raised her hand, forming a ball of shadows within it. Artimis saw Alexis eye it with surprise and then a glimmer of fear came over her as he eyes widened. Alexis backed up a step and hollered.
"No way... Ron! We're moving away for the next nine months! We're going back to Hawaii!"
That statement just brought to mind the incident in which Alexis almost killed Severus after her honeymoon to Hawaii, and that time she wasn't even trying. He just happened to find some pictures of Alexis on the beach in her bathing suit, posing for Ron that no one else was supposed to see.
Artimis snickered and shook her head, replying smugly. "Yeah, just don't leave any pictures out next time for people to pick up again. Severus already had one heart attack."
Alexis scowled with indignity as she grumbled in reply. "Not my fault, he was snooping around. And those pictures weren't that bad!"
Artimis shook her head as she turned to walk downstairs, intending on resting.
"Whatever you say Alexis..." Artimis replied, heading into her room. She glimpsed Severus walking into Selena's room with a book and rolled her eyes. She knew he wouldn't follow her instructions; he never did when it came to her daughter. Artimis closed her door and lay down on her bed, closing her eyes. She curled up with her pillow, wondering what Draco had in mind for the night and closed her eyes, falling asleep after a few moments.
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Alexis stopped outside the Tower doors as Ron walked out, trying to smooth his hair down with one hand. Alexis smiled at him and he smiled back. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. After a minute he let her go and began towards the stairs, speaking to her. "I'll be back in a while to pick you up. Be ready. Love ya."
He called as he disappeared down the stairs. "Okay, love you too." Alexis called back and he waved before his head disappeared from sight. Alexis sighed happily, and then looked around in a bored fashion, not knowing what she was to do until his return.
You know, I really should go tell somebody about Artimis... that girl, I swear... how many does she want anyway? Don't recall her wanting any more than one before... Alexis thought distractedly to herself as she entered her room and pulled on another shirt, exiting the Tower once again and deciding to go complain to Aaron and Hailey. She knew they weren't too busy, either arguing again or making out. Both were their favorite pastimes. She walked up to Aaron's room, not bothering to knock, since she never did, and opened the door, exclaiming as she walked in.
"Hey Aaron! Guess what! Artimis is pregnant again! Don't know where she plans on sticking this one... I'm not giving it my room..." Alexis halted and trailed off as she gazed upon Aaron and Hailey, entwined and fiercely making out in front of her. Alexis sighed and shook her head. Yep... right again...
Aaron quickly pulled away from Hailey upon hearing Alexis, and Hailey hastily tried to fix her hair, glaring slightly at Alexis.
Aaron grumbled. "Don't you ever-"
"Knock? No, not really. Except on Sev's door. Tired of him hexing me... anyway, did you hear a word of what I said?" Alexis asked nonchalantly, and Aaron shook his head. Alexis sighed and repeated. "I said, Artimis is pregnant again."
The Head Auror raised an eyebrow and commented quietly. "Oh, really now..."
Hailey's eyes widened as she exclaimed. "Really!"
Alexis beamed and nodded, wondering slightly at Aaron's contemplative expression. Hailey began rambling about how cool that was and all that jazz, and Alexis wasn't about to stick around to be caught up in her ranting. She backed out the door, calling back as she left. "Yeah, just thought I should warn you now... you know, to give you time to buy supplies, cement up your door, secure your glass and breakable possessions..."
Hailey glared slightly and Alexis laughed as she left their room, heading back to her Tower, knowing Ron wouldn't be too long in returning. She closed her door and started humming as she tracked down her outfit and possessions.
She pulled on a pair of blue jeans, and then donned her own bright orange, Chudley Cannons autographed shirt, compliments of Ron. She found her equally orange baseball cap amidst her hat collection, turning it backwards on her head so the Cannon's logo faced behind her. She hummed quietly as she pulled on her shoes and laced them with a quick spell. After rummaging in her second upstairs room, she found her huge foamy orange 'pointing finger', slipping it onto her hand and giving it a few good waves. She made a mental note to get one for her father-in-law, Arthur Weasley, seeing as how he was so fascinated by it.
Satisfied at her appearance, she set her 'finger' down temporarily and occupied her time by digging for Ron's Cannon's shirt in his dresser, also pulling out his own orange baseball cap. She set those and the rest of his outfit out on their bed for his return, nodding her head. She turned as she heard her doors opening, seeing Ron walking in, smiling. Alexis looked to him hopefully and he held up two tickets. Alexis squealed loudly in delight, jumping at him. He caught her, laughing and letting her take the tickets.
She grinned, asking as he went to the bed for his set out clothes, starting to dress quickly. "Finally! Been waiting half a year for this game! Honestly Ron, I don't see why you dress like that only to come back and dress again..."
Ron sighed as he pulled on his Chudley Cannon's shirt. "It's all for a good impression dear. They think I'm going there to work. Which, I am, but also to watch our team kick those Bulgarian's asses!" He exclaimed, and they both whooped in agreement, chanting the Chudley Cannon's name as they left the Tower, both dressed in bright orange, holding their Quidditch tickets.
They kept up their chant as they loudly stomped down the stairs; Alexis waving her huge foam finger on one hand and waving her ticket in her other hand. They stomped onto the second story landing, ignoring Severus's yells to shut up, and seeing Artimis stick her head out her door in confusion. She saw them and realized the commotion, then sighed. "We get the point guys; you don't have to rub it in..."
"Of course we do. No fun if we don't. Anyways, as I was saying..." Alexis spoke calmly, and then took a breath and she and Ron began chanting once again very loudly, smiling at each other as they did a few more circles around the hall. Artimis growled something at them, but was drowned out by muffled, but loud, yelling coming from Hermione's room.
"Damnit you two! People are working around here! Shut up and go outside!"
Another deeper voice snapped at them from a nearby door as Severus stuck his head out of Selena's door. "Selena was about to take a nap. If you two don't shut up, I swear I'll..."
He wasn't heard thought as Alexis increased the volume of her hollering, thus making Hermione raise her voice, along with Severus. Artimis had given up and slammed the door, trying to ignore the ruckus.
Alexis stopped after a minute, taking a deep breath. She sighed happily. "Ah, the smell of annoyance in the morning... or is that just Severus?"
Alexis paused, looking thoughtful, and then laughed with Ron as Severus narrowed his eyes. They thought they heard stomping coming from Hermione's room, and Ron looked down at Alexis and added. "Whatever it is, it's starting to get rank. Maybe we should get while we still can."
Alexis sighed and nodded. "Yeah. And there's always tonight."
Arm in arm, they both tramped down the rest of the stairs, leaving the Manor, their loud echoing chants of 'Cannons! Cannons!' still were reverberating through the halls.
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Artimis laid back down after the showdown between Alexis, her husband and the Second Story occupants. She sighed as she succumbed to the soft comfort of her bed, blinking her eyes. She opened her eyes and it was suddenly darker in her room, little light flowing in her bedroom windows. She turned quickly to the clock and saw that she had been sleeping for four hours. Artimis leapt up quickly and shook the sleepiness from her. She had to get ready, Draco would be home anytime. But then a thought of despair came to her mind.
Alexis is at the match... That means she can't baby-sit... That means I have to let him... Artimis thought as she paced her room angrily. Just as she turned around, the door opened and there was a smiling Draco at the door. She smiled at him, her frown leaving her as quickly as it had come as he walked forward and swept her off her feet, holding her in his arms as he kissed her. He pulled back and set her on her feet and then looked at her.
"Did you forget that we we're going out dear?" He asked and Artimis blushed.
"No, I just woke up. I was napping. Honey, I don't think I wanna go out." Artimis spoke bluntly and Draco looked at her in concern.
"Why? Are you having morning sickness already?" He asked her worriedly, looking her over.
"No, it's just... just that Alexis isn't here, so that means I have to let Severus watch Selena, and I don't want that." She told him as tears brimmed her eyes and she sat down on the bed, her head in her hands. Draco sat down beside and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Dear, I know you are really upset about how close Selena is to Severus. Hell, I'm a bit jealous, but we have to try and understand that children do that. They cling to a certain role model. She'll grow out of it." Draco consoled her and Artimis just cried.
"But why couldn't she cling to me? I'm her mother. And Severus, A role model? He's an ex-deatheater for god's sake. I don't want my daughter growing up to be like him." Artimis declared and Draco just rubbed her back.
"Honey, please come out with me tonight. I want to celebrate the fact that we will be having another child. Don't you want to celebrate?" He asked her and she nodded at him. He kissed her head and smiled, getting up.
"Good, you go ask Severus to baby-sit, I'll get dressed and then you can get ready and we can leave." He told her humming to himself as he went into their bathroom, closing the door behind him. Artimis sighed and rubbed her forehead. She got up and walked out of her door. She stopped at Severus's room and knocked, knowing he wasn't their, but hoping he was. He wasn't. She walked a little down the hall and entered her daughter's room quietly. She saw that the lights had been turned down and that Severus was sleeping in HER rocking chair with Selena sleeping in his lap. Artimis was enraged. That was her rocking chair, not only was it hers but it belongs to her mother, and her mother's mother and her great-grandmother. Two generations of Entingo had been rocked in that chair, One generation of Callabella's, including herself, and she had rocked her own daughter in that chair. How dare Severus even think of sitting in HER rocking chair? Artimis inhaled and spoke softly, as to not upset or awaken her daughter.
"Severus. Wake up; I need to see you outside." She whispered and he looked up at her and nodded, picking Selena and laying her in her bed. She walked out of the room with Severus behind her and he closed the door softly. He blinked in the bright light of the hall and looked at Artimis expectantly.
"Yes Artimis?" He asked after a minute and Artimis calmed her need to tear him to shreds.
"Me and Draco are going out tonight, to celebrate, and I wanted to know if you would mind babys-"
"No problem." He cut her off before she could finish her sentence, like she knew he would and she growled.
"Ok, we'll be home later. Could you see that she gets dinner and get to b-" He cut in and she shook her head.
"By eight-thirty, absolutely." He finished her sentence for her and she was growing irritated. She walked into her daughter's room, leaving Severus in the hall. She kneeled by her sleeping daughter, kissing her head softly. Selena opened her eyes and looked at her mother sleepily.
"Honey, Mummy and Daddy are going out; Uncle Severus is going to watch you, alright?" She whispered and Selena nodded at her getting up and wiping her eyes.
"Yes Mummy... I'm hungry." Selena stated lowly and Artimis hugged her daughter, picking her up and holding her close. Artimis loved her daughter more than life itself, and for the life of her she couldn't understand why her daughter loved Severus so much. Artimis walked with her daughter out of the room, Selena wrapping her arms around her neck gently. Severus was waiting out there and Artimis rolled her eyes. Artimis handed Selena off to him and she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
"She's hungry. Please, no major desserts for her." Artimis asked and Severus looked at Selena and then her and nodded defeated. Artimis walked back into her room, Severus passing her, carrying the now talkative Selena Malfoy down the stairs. Artimis thought for a moment and turned the corner instead of walking into her bedroom. She walked into the alcove that lead to Remus's room and she knocked on his door.
"Come in." Remus's voice was heard and Artimis entered. Remus was sitting at his fireplace, arguing with Dobby, who was playing wizarding chess with him. He looked up and smiled at her, Dobby silencing.
"Hello Artimis. How are you?" He asked with a glint in his eyes and Artimis knew he knew. She smirked and shook her head.
"Well I am certain my sister has told you of my predicament." Artimis declared and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"What predicament?" He questioned and she smirked.
"Well, just that I'm pregnant again, Grandpa." Artimis told him and he grinned ear to ear, getting up and hugging her tightly. She hugged him back, smiling that he was happy. He let go of her, backing up and she shook her head in humor as she looked at his grey goatee.
"Oh, and it was Hailey, not Alexis... How far along are you?" Remus asked, looking at her flat stomach.
"We think six weeks, but it could be eight, we're not sure yet. Remus, I have a favor to ask you." Artimis spoke and Remus looked her over with questioning.
"Yeah, what is it?" He asked her and she blushed, knowing what she was going to ask him would be odd.
"I need you to watch Severus." She spoke and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"He's babysitting, you're afraid he won't listen to your orders, so you want me to baby-sit him, right?" Remus joked and Artimis nodded her head at him. He laughed and patted her shoulder, shaking his head.
"Ok, what did you tell him that he needed to do?" Remus spoke after he caught his breath.
"Bed by eight-thirty and no massive desserts. And I am serious about the bed time, because you like to let her slip on it too." Artimis told him with all the authority of a mother and he nodded.
"Ok, bed on time and no super fudge sundaes, can do." Remus spoke, saluting her and she mock saluted him back. She turned and walked out of the room, heading to her own room. She entered it and Draco looked at her oddly.
"What were you arguing with him?" Draco asked and Artimis shook her head, heading to her closet, which had just recently been transformed from a nursery last summer. She dug in her closet for her best looking dress and changed quickly. She marched to the bathroom, determining herself to have a good time. She did her hair and her make-up and then put on her shoes, Draco watching her with a sort of admiration in his eyes.
"What?" She asked him and he smirked.
"Have I told you lately that you are beautiful?" He asked and she smiled at him.
"Yes, but you can tell me that as many times as you like." She spoke smirking and she grabbed her purse. Draco walked up, dressed nicely and held his arm out to her.
"Shall we?" He asked her and she took it, walking out the door and heading down to the foyer. They got down there and Artimis's looked in the dining room doors, seeing Severus and Selena both eating and Selena talking quickly. Severus was nodding his head as if he understood her and Artimis growled. Draco turned his head and then shook it, patting Artimis's arm. He let her go and walked into the room where Selena was.
"Honey, we're leaving." Draco spoke and Selena hugged him tightly around the neck, planting a kiss on both his cheeks. Artimis heard him whisper something to Selena and she darted out of her chair, rushing for Artimis. Artimis knew what was coming and braced for it. Selena grabbed a hold of her legs and hugged her tightly. Artimis pried her off and knelt, hugging her daughter tightly. Artimis rubbed her daughter's pitch black hair and whispered softly in her hair.
"You be a good girl, ok? Listen to Uncle Severus. I love you." She told her and Selena squeezed her neck tightly.
"I love you too mummy." Selena told her in her childish voice and then backed up, kissing her cheek softly. Artimis let her go and she skipped back to her chair, climbing up it and sitting across from Severus, going back to her sandwich. Draco walked back to her and Artimis's felt a tug in her heart. Draco took her arm and waved to Remus, who was coming down the stairs. She let him lead her out the doors and then they apparated away to her surprise.
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Alexis and Ron apparated back to the Manor, the sky darkening as evening fast approached. Together they burst into the house in their matching orange glory, chanting happily. "Cannon's Rule! Those other guys Drool! WOOHOO!"
Alexis grabbed his hands and made him dance around the Lounge for a few moments, laughing. He laughed then stopped her after a few dizzying spins, and she smiled up at him. He smiled back at her and spoke reluctantly. "Now for the work part of all this. I've got to go write up a report for tomorrow. You go rant at the rest of the household and I'll come up to bed in a while."
Alexis nodded, and Ron hugged her, and then trudged upstairs tiredly to change. Alexis looked around, still feeling exhilarated by the Quidditch match. She never really enjoyed Quidditch all that much before, but being married to Ron for four years had helped her develop a nice liking for it. Kind of hard not to when he worked for the Ministry in the Magical Games department and got free passes and tickets every week or so.
Feeling in the mood for talking, Alexis tramped upstairs, intent on finding Artimis, Remus... even Severus would do. She walked onto the second story, heading towards her niece, Selena's door after hearing voices inside. She put her hand on the handle and was about to open it, hearing a young girl's voice. "Oh no! The evil dragon is coming to eat us! You have to fight him Uncle Sev!"
She pushed open the door curiously, and jumped in surprise as Severus practically lunged at her. He skidded to a halt though, and Alexis stared at him in shock. He stood there, wearing a plastic knight's helmet, a sheet as a cape, and pointing a plastic sword at her.
They stood in silence for a moment, ignoring Selena as she squealed. "It's the scary Aunt Lexy dragon! Run away!" Then, she dove under her bed. Severus gained back his thoughts and straightened quickly; yanking off his helmet and dropping the sword like it had burned him, staring at Alexis with a lost expression as he commented. "I um... thought you were Grandpa, I mean Remus..."
She turned upon hearing footsteps; seeing Remus stalking up to Selena's room, wearing a paper bag designed into a dragon's head on his own head, complete with a paper chain tail. He froze, staring at Alexis through the cut out eyeholes in his mask.
Alexis looked between him and Severus, shaking her head. "You know, if it hadn't been this house, this would be deeply disturbing. But right now, it's just bloody hilarious." She laughed, looking them over with amusement. She closed Selena's door, and walked towards the third floor, stopping once beside Remus to look him over, then continuing on, laughing once again.
She stopped on the stairs, then smirked and pulled out her camera from her bag. She snuck up to Selena's door, Remus having already entered it, and kicked it open, snapping several pictures of the trio staging a mock battle before they knew what had happened.
Alexis then turned and bolted upstairs, until she was safely locked in her Tower. She laughed as she put her camera and hat away, shaking her head. She's thoroughly corrupted the both of them, to the point of scariness... but yet, it is quite amusing at the same time... glad I'll never have kids...
Alexis thought to herself as she dressed into her pajamas, yawning tiredly, the events of the day catching up to her. She plopped onto her bed, not bothering to pull the covers up as she turned off the lights, intending to doze until Ron came up.
Alexis awoke from slumber suddenly, feeling something warm being pulled over her. She tiredly looked up into the darkness, seeing Ron tenderly covering her with her blanket, already dressed in his boxers. He smoothed her soft white hair back with a gentle hand and smiled lovingly, and she smiled back up at him as he slid into bed beside her, kissing her head softly. She turned more and snuggled into his warm side as he lay back, wrapping an arm around her, both dozing off contentedly.
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Aaron paced his room, Hailey in the bathroom between their rooms as he debated what it was that he should do.
"She's not going to like this one bit... Well, maybe the second half, but the first is going to anger her." He spoke aloud, turning to pace the other way, his hands folded behind his back.
"I really don't understand why they said it had to be this way. How do I tell her without her killing me? Especially now that's she pregnant, she has those fearful shadow powers. Why can't Dumbledore explain this to her? Just because I'm head Auror doesn't mean that I am fearless, because I fear her wrath." He mumbled, pacing in a hurried pace in his strip of carpet that was wearing away from other pacing sessions.
"She'll blame it on me. I know she will. It's not like I can help it, I fought for her, but I can't fight my own boss." Aaron thought, confused beyond reasoning. Hailey opened the door to the bathroom and then went to open her door to her room. She smirked at him and he smiled, going back to his pacing. She sat down on her bed and he walked in there, plopping down on the floor in front of her. She began to rub his shoulders as he rambled to her.
"How will I tell her, she'll kill me? I mean, I would kill me if I had to give myself this news. What do you think babe?" He asked her and she leaned down and kissed his cheek, moving to kiss his lips. She drew back from him and smirked.
"I think you should get out of your work robes and get your butt in bed, then in the morning, you either tell her and call on Dumbledore to come help you, or call him first." Hailey stated smartly and he nodded, agreeing with her that he did need sleep. He went off to change and then walked back into Hailey's room, crawling into bed with her and falling into a fitful and worrisome sleep.
Now, go on, tell us what you think...
Look for the next chapter Next Wednesday...
Toodles,
DS & ES